Journal box lid



June 16, .1936. G. A. wooDMAN Filed Dec. 29, 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEYPatented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to journal box lids of the kind used on railwayequipment and the primary object is to forcibly hold the lid in boxclosing position by spring tension which may be relieved when the lid isbeing attached or detached from the box to thereby facilitateinstallation and removal of the lid.

Further objects of' the invention are to provide a novel journal box lidwhich may be effectively held in open or closed positions by areplaceable spring; which will be self-adjusting so as to conform to anyirregularities in the box and effectively close the open side thereof toprevent egress of grease or the like and ingress of a foreign mattersuch as dust and the like; which may be installed or removed by ordinaryreadily available tools; and which will include a spring-urged lever fordistributing the spring effect to insure proper functioning of the lid.t

A selected embodiment of the invention is illus- 'trated in theaccompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational View of the lidand in which 4certain parts of the lid are broken away;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line2-2 on Fig. l and showing the lid in box closing position;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the lid in open position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 1 4 onFig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of a lever employed in the lid.

The preferred embodiment of my novel journal box lid illustrated in theaccompanying drawing is shown with a fragmentally illustrated journalbox 5 which has a medially located boss l on the upper side thereof. Thelid includes a plate 8 adapted to close the open side of the box 6 andthis plate is provided with a depending peripheral flange 9 adapted tooverlie the margins of the outer sides of the box 6 and preferably theflange is slightly spaced from the outer sides of the box to insureseating of the lid against the front edges of the box.

Spaced bosses I0 and I I are provided along the upper edge of the plate8 and have elongated openings l2 (Fig. 4) therein. An opening I3 isprovided in the boss I and a pintle I4 neatly passes through the openingI3 and this pintle also passes through the elongated openings I2. Theopenings I2 are elongated substantially transversely of the open side ofthe box 6 and the normal dimension of the openings I2 is substantiallyequal to the diameter of the pintle I4. Thus, the plateB Vis so mountedthat it may be swung to and from closing position relative to the openside of the box 6 and it is movable relative to the front edges of thebox and therefore the plate may adjust itself to any irregularities inthe box to tightly close the open side of the box and this permissiverelative movement combined with the peripheral flange 9 insures againstegress of grease or the like from the box and at the same time preventsingress of dust or the like into the box. Preferably one end of thepintle I4 is headed as indicated at I6 and this headed end, in theillustrated embodiment of the invention, engages the outer side of theboss II. The other end of the pintle is peened over as indicated at I'Iand this peened end engages the outer side of the boss I0, in theillustrated embodiment of the invention. A handle I8 is provided alongthe edge of the lid opposite that on which the bosses IE) and II areprovided to facilitate movement of the lid to and from closing position.

It is desirable that the plate 8 be rmly held against the open side ofthe box 6 but it is also necessary that the plate 8 be arranged to bemovable from this position so as to afford access into the box to permitinspection, replacement of grease and the like, and when the lid ismoved into open position it is advantageous to retain it in suchposition. I therefore provide yieldable means for holding the lid bothin open and closed position and this yieldable means includes a leveragainst which a spring acts and this lever serves to so distribute theeffect of the spring that the lid is effectively held in either its openor closed positions.

A lever of this kind is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5 and is indicatedgenerally by I9. A foot portion 20 is provided at one end of the leverI9 and this foot portion is adapted to rest against the boss l. Thelever also includes upstanding ribs 2l and 22 and arms 23 and 24 arerespectively provided on these ribs adjacent the end of the leveropposite that provided with the foot portion 20. An opening 25 isprovided in the body of the lever intermediate the ribs 2| and 22 and insubistantial alignment with the arms 23 and 24.

A pocket 26 is provided substantially medially in the plate 8 and aflange 2l (Fig. 2) overlies the lower margin of this pocket. A lug28projects outwardly from the bottom of the pocket 26 and is adapted topass through the opening 25 in the lever I9 when this lever is mountedon the plate 8 with the end portion 29 thereof (located at the end ofthe lever opposite the foot portion 20) arranged in the pocket 26 belowthe flange 21. An opening 30 Vis provided in the lug 28 and a 2malcotter pin 3| is adapted to be passed through this opening 28 so thatthe lever I9 will be held between this cotter pin 3I and the bottom ofthe pocket 28.

The spring which acts on the lever I9 is mounted on this lever prior tothe time the lever is fastened to the lid. The spring is generallyindicated by 32 and is made from a single strip of material which isbent to provide a medially located substantially U-shaped portion, thebight 33 of which portion is rested in a groove 34 in the lever I9 atthe inner end of the foot portion 20. The limbs of the U-shaped portionof the spring terminate in coils 35 respectively disposed about the arms23 and 24 on the lever I9. The springalso includes arms 36 which extendsubstantialy parallel with but which are spaced from the plate 8 andthese arms terminate in rounded end portions 31.

A cap generally indicated by 38 is provided which covers the spring 32,lever I9 and pocket 26, and this cap also partially covers the bosses 1,I and II. The cap includes inwardly extending side walls 39 which haveopenings therein through which the pintle I4 is passed so that the cap38 is mounted for pivotal movement about this pintle and correspondingedges of these side walls rest on the plate 8 when the cap is in closingposition. The end portions 37 of the spring rest against the innersurface of the cap when the cap is in closing position and the spring isthereby tensioned. The front end of the cap is provided with an opening4U and when the cap is grasped at the opening it may be pivoted awayfrom the plate 8 so as to expose the spring 32, lever I9 and pocket 26and when the cap 38 is so pivoted tension on the spring is relieved.

The front and top surfaces of the boss 'l are flattened as respectivelyindicated at 4I and 42 and the foot portion of the lever I9 respectivelybears against these surfaces 4I and 42 when the lid is in the closed andopen positions.

The spring 32 is tensioned when the cap 38 is in closed positionrelative to the plate 8 and at all other times tension is relieved onthis spring and for this reason installation of my novel lid isfacilitated for it is not necessary to insert the pintle against theaction of the spring because the cap is held out of closing positionduring assembly. In assembling the lid on a journal box, in theillustrated embodiment of the invention, the pintle I4 is first passedthrough the opening in the boss II and then through the opening in oneof the side walls 39 and then through the opening in the boss 1, throughthe opening in the other side walls 39 and the opening in the boss I0whereupon the end of the pintle is peened over or otherwise fastened inposition. Prior to this time the lever I9 and the spring 32 will havebeen assembled on the plate 8 but since the spring is not under tension,the lever may move freely, within limits sufficient to permit assembly.However, as soon as the pintle is fast in position the cap 38 is pivotedinto closing relation with the plate 8 whereupon the spring 32 istensioned and the spring thereupon acts on the lever I9 medially betweenthe ends thereof with the result that the foot portion 28 is effectivelyurged into engagement with the surface 4I, when the lid is in closingposition, and that part of the lever immediately about the openingtherein engages the bottom of the pocket 26 and effectively holds thelid in engagement with the front edges of the box. When the handle I 8is grasped and the plate 8 is moved away from the open front side of thebox 6, the plate 8 and the cap 38 pivot about the pintle I 4 as a unitand the foot portion 2U slides over the surface 4I and after passing thecorner at the juncture of the surfaces 4I and 42, the lid may be said tohave passed over center and the spring 32 will so act that the lid willbe retained in the open position, full open position being illustratedin Fig. 3. If the spring should break or if for other reason areplacement is desired, the cap 38 is pivoted from closing positionwhereupon the vspring 32 and the lever I9 are exposed and lthe cotterpin may be expeditiously removed to permit removal of the lever I9 andthe spring 32 and it should be remembered that Vwhen the cap 38 ispivoted from closing position relative to the plate 8 the tension on thespring is relieved which facilitates removal of this spring and thelever I9.

My novel journal box lid may be expeditiously installed on or removedfrom a journal box for the reason that the spring tension on the lid maybe expeditiously relieved but the lid is effectively held in its open orclosed positions by spring tension and an over-center arrangement afterinstallation thereof. Moreover, the spring and its cooperating parts areeffectively concealed which will mitigate the likelihood of damagethereto. Furthermore, inasmuch as the lid is mounted for self-adjustmentand as it includes a protecting flange, the box will be effectivelyclosed by the lid which will prevent egress of grease or the like andingress of dirt or the like, the advantage of which is obvious.

I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention but it is to beunderstood that this is capable of variation and modication and Itherefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth butdesire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall withinthe purview of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid, a pintle pivotally connecting said lid to said bearing boss wherebysaid lid may be moved to and from closing position relative to the openside of said box, a lever, means including a removable part forattaching said lever to said lid, spring means mounted on said lever andhaving a part acting on said lever to hold said lid in box closingposition, and releasable means for tensioning said spring, saidreleasable means being mounted on said pintle for movement relative tosaid lid, said pintle retaining said lid and said releasable means inpivotal connection with the bearing boss on said box when saidreleasable means is moved relative to said lid to release tension onsaid spring to permit removal of said lever and said spring.

2. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid, a pintle pivotally connecting said lid to said bearing boss wherebysaid lid may be moved to and from closing position relative to the openside of said box, a lever having one end thereof rested on said bearingboss and the other end thereof rested on said lid, means including aremovable part for detachably connecting said lever to said lid, springmeans mounted on said lever and having a part acting on said lever tohold said lid in box closing position, and releasable means fortensioning said spring, said releasable means being mounted on saidpintle for movement relative to said lid, said pintle retaining said lidand said releasable means in pivotal connection with the bearing boss onsaid box when said releasable means is moved relative to said lid torelease tension on said spring to permit removal of said lever and saidspring.

3. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid, a pintle pivotally connecting the lid to said bearing boss wherebysaid lid may be moved to and from closing position relative to the openside of said box, a lever having arms thereon, means including aremovable part for detachably connecting said lever to said lid, aspring including coiled portions disposed about said arms to connectsaid spring to said lever, said spring having a part intermediate saidcoiled portions engaged with said lever and having a second partextending substantially parallel with but spaced from said lid, andreleasable means engageable with said second part of said spring totension the coiled portions of said spring to urge said intermediatepart into engagement with said lever and thereby hold said lid in boxclosing position, said releasable means being mounted on said pintle formovement relative to said lid, said pintle retaining said lid and saidreleasable means in pivotal connection with the bearing boss on said boxwhen said releasable means is moved relative to said lid to releasetension on the coiled portions of said spring to permit removal of saidlever and said spring.

4. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid pivotally connected to said bearing boss and movable to and fromclosing position relative to the open side of said box, a lever, meansincluding a removable part for detachably connecting said lever to saidlid, spring means mounted on said lever and including a part acting onsaid lever, and means pivotally connected to said bearing boss to bemovable independently of the lid and engageable with said spring meansto tension said spring means and apply pressure on said lever to holdsaid lid in box closing position and adapted to be moved independentlyof the lid to be disengaged from said spring means to release thetension on said lever whereby said lever and spring means may be removedwithout alteration of the pivotal connection of said lid to said box.

5. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid pivotally connected to said bearing boss and movable to and fromclosing position relative to the open side of said box, a lever, meansincluding a removable part for detachably connecting said lever to saidlid, springs means mounted on said lever and including a part acting onsaid lever, and a cap mounted on said bearing boss to be movable withand independently of said lid and covering said lever and spring meansand adapted to tension said spring means to hold said lid in box closingposition and adapted to be moved independently of said lid and away fromsaid lid to release the tension on said spring means whereby said springmeans and lever may be removed without alteration of the pivotalconnection of said lid to said box.

6. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid including bearing portions, a pintle extending through said bearingportions and said bearing boss to pivotally connect said lid to saidbox, a lever including a part resting on said bearing boss and anotherpart resting on said lid, the last named part of said lever having anopening therein, a lug on said lid extending through said opening, meansengaging said lug to prevent displacement of said lever from said lid, aspring including coiled portions and having a part intermediate saidcoiled portions engaged with said lever and having parts extendingV fromsaid coiled portions, and means engaged with the extending parts of saidspring toV tension said coiled portions whereby the intermediate part ofsaid spring acts on said lever to hold said lid in the closed or openpositions thereof relative to the open side of said journal box.

'7. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid including bearing portions, a pintle extending through said bearingportions and said bearing boss to pivotally connect said lid to saidbox, a lever including a part resting on said bearing boss and anotherpart resting on said lid, the last named part of said lever having anopening therein, a lug on said lid extending through said opening, meansengaging said lug to prevent displacement of said lever from said lid,said lever having arms thereon, a spring having coiled portions mountedon said arms and having a part intermediate said coiled portions bearingon said lever, said spring including arms, and means engaging said armsand tensioning said spring to render said spring effective on said leverwhereby said lever acts to hold said lid in the closed or open positionsthereof relative to the open side of said journal box.

8. In combination with a journal box having a bearing boss thereon, alid including bearing portions, a pintle extending through said bearingportions and said bearing boss to pivotally connect said lid to saidbox, a lever including a part resting on said bearing boss and anotherpart resting on said lid, the last named part of said lever having anopening therein, a lug on Y said lid extending through said opening,means engaging said lug to prevent displacement of said lever from saidlid, said lever having arms thereon, a spring having coiled portionsmounted on said arms and having a part intermediate said coiled portionsbearing on said lever, said spring including arms, and a cap pivotallymounted on said pintle and engageable with the arms of said spring totension said spring to act on said lever whereby said lever holds saidlid in the open or closed positions thereof relative to the open side ofsaid journal box, said cap being movable relative to said lid to permitdisengagement thereof from the arms of said spring to thereby releasethe tension on said spring whereby said spring and lever may be removedfrom said lid without alteration of the pivotal connection of said lidto said bearing boss.

GEORGE A. WOODMAN.

